Detained for Offending Someone

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ADC

It seems that Blair's Thought Police are just going from strength to strength. From reading this is seems as though he broke no laws, but he was detained until he apologised. I hope he sues he arse off them.

David Jones was held for questioning as he passed through X-ray scanners after asking why a veiled Muslim woman was not checked by airport security.

Mr Jones said he had been flying to Portugal and joked about wearing his scarf over his face.

Gatwick Airport said his comments had offended some security staff.

Former fireman Mr Jones, 67, was on his way to Faro in the Algarve, where he now lives.

He was asked to place his belongings, including his scarf, into a tray to pass through the scanner.

However, as he did so, he spotted the woman pass through the area without showing her face.

Speaking to Radio 4's Today programme, he recalled how he said to officials: "I wonder what would happen if I covered my face with my scarf.

"It was a quip. And I expected the guy to say: 'Yeah, I know what you mean mate' but when I got to the end and was putting all my stuff back on, I was bagged by a security guard."

Mr Jones said he was told: "You've made a remark which someone finds offensive. Come with me."

'Bizarre situation'
He denied making an offensive remark, saying it was "an observation, nothing more", but he was told he should apologise to a Muslim security guard who was nearby when the comment was made.

Mr Jones described the situation as bizarre, but said he was not arrested even though he was held "for quite a while".

He was freed after agreeing the remark could be regarded as offensive.

In a statement, Gatwick Airport said there was no legal requirement to remove religious headwear to establish identity in airport security areas, and that "when the Muslim lady in traditional dress passed through security no alarms activated".

"Some security colleagues were offended by some of the comments made and supervisors asked the passenger to return landside and engaged in a discussion during which the passenger requested the presence of the police.

"The matter was resolved and the passenger was later re-screened and did not miss his flight," it said.

Speaking on Monday, Mr Jones said he was taking advice and considering whether to pursue the matter further following the incident on 19 February.

Mr Jones, originally from West London and a former member of the Household Cavalry, dreamt up the idea of Fireman Sam with fellow firefighter Dave Gingell when they worked at Clerkenwell station in London.

LE

This has probably been asked before but: Why is it not a legal requirment to remove face coverings to allow identity to be checked at airport security areas or for that matter other sensitive points where access is restricted?

As has been posted several times in various threads, it is NOT a religious requirement for women to wear a face or head covering under Islam.

I live and work in a Moslem country and so am familiar with the habits of the locals.

If they should once obtain a connivance, they will press for a toleration, from thence to an equality, from an equality to a superiority, from a superiority to an extirpation of all contrary religions. John Pym 1584-1643.

Can I raise an action against the Northern Ireland Secretary for all the things said to me, and my colleagues, by those nasty Paddies, from both sides, back in the early days of Op BANNER? I was well hurt by their verbal abuse. Bricks and petrol bombs were fine but those nasty words have left me scarred for life!

Labour: For the Few, NOT the Many!
Tory: Vote for us we can ignore you better than Labour do.
I
I'm a Gammon and proud of it!

LE

LE

Can I raise an action against the Northern Ireland Secretary for all the things said to me, and my colleagues, by those nasty Paddies, from both sides, back in the early days of Op BANNER? I was well hurt by their verbal abuse. Bricks and petrol bombs were fine but those nasty words have left me scarred for life!

LE

Can I raise an action against the Northern Ireland Secretary for all the things said to me, and my colleagues, by those nasty Paddies, from both sides, back in the early days of Op BANNER? I was well hurt by their verbal abuse. Bricks and petrol bombs were fine but those nasty words have left me scarred for life!